Body found could be missing woman

ESCALON — A farmer in a corn field Saturday found the remains of what police say could be Dalene Carlson, a Stockton woman missing since Aug. 7.

Officials said it could be days before positive identification can be made. Further examinations and tests must be completed.

But the size and appearance of the body was enough for sheriff's officials, who initially investigated, to alert the Stockton Police Department, said Detective Roseann Clark, a police spokeswoman.

Police were still at the scene about 10 p.m. Saturday, eight hours after they arrived.

Clark said the farmer was harvesting corn about noon in the field along Lone Tree Road when he made the discovery.

“He looked down and saw something suspicious,” Clark said. “He took another look and realized the possibility it might be a body.”

Clark said officials were collecting the remains Saturday night.

Carlson, 23, was last seen by friends Aug. 7 at Finnegan's Pub and Grill on Pacific Avenue. Police arrested Jason Ross Gilley, 25, but prosecutors said they did not have enough evidence to charge him in connection with her disappearance.